Waterborne by Katherine Irons Read Free Book Online

and he hasn’t made contact.”
     
    Morgan’s jaw tightened. He’d had a bad feeling about this mission. “It doesn’t mean Alex is in trouble,” he said, more to convince himself than Orion. “It wouldn’t be the first time he tried to go it alone.”
    “That’s what worries me. I’d like to take a regiment out to the Pacific. See what’s happening firsthand.”
    “You can’t. I need you here. The kingdom is vulnerable during Perseus’ celebration. You’re the best I’ve got, and your place is with your troops here in the city.”
    “And Alex? How long do we wait before we start to worry?”
    Morgan’s gut knotted. Of his brothers, Alex was always the one he was most concerned about. He took too many risks, and Morgan was afraid he was beginning to believe the legend that had grown up around him. “It’s a big ocean, Orion. There’s no guarantee you could find him, even with a regiment. Dewi and Bleddyn know their stuff. They’ll find him, or he’ll find them.”
    “I hope you’re right.” Orion fixed him with a hard stare. “If anything bad happens to him, and I could have prevented it ...”
    It wasn’t a scenario Morgan wanted to consider. There were a lot of reasons that might prevent Alex from rendezvousing with his team. “If the worst has happened—if Alex made a strike at Varenkov and failed—it’s too late already,” he said gruffly. “But if I were the gambler Alex is, I’d bet my crown on our brother turning up safe and sound.”
    Orion gripped Morgan’s shoulder. “That’s your final decision?”
    “It is.” And as Orion turned away, muscles rigid and green eyes as clear as polished emeralds, Morgan smothered the thought that rose in his mind. Be glad you weren’t firstborn and don’t have to give these orders.

     
    Alex sensed, rather than heard, someone coming. The darkness was absolute. The light-fish’s radiance had faded and gone out hours or days ago. It was impossible to see anything but stygian blackness around him in the tiny cell. Above him, he could feel the weight of the city pressing down on him, and below ... And in the depths below were only the creaking and hissing of molten rock, rivers of lava, and the grinding of shifting earth plates.
    He’d not wasted his strength on trying to break down the door. Instead, he’d folded himself into a compact form and tried to sleep. Hunger had plagued him, but it was a minor annoyance. It was fear that had worn away at him, fear that no one would come to open the cell, that he would remain here until he shriveled and died. Tight enclosed places were his bane. He hated them, and it took all of his willpower to hold back the terror that threatened to overcome his wits.
    Now, someone was coming. For good or evil, the waiting was over. The presence halted in front of his cell.
    “Prince Alexandros?”
    He recognized the voice. It was that of ’Enakai’s captain of the guard—Anuata. “Where else would I be?” he answered with more bravado than he felt. “Have you come to escort me to the high priestess’s bedchamber?” Considering where he was, that might be a possibility he’d consider.
    The bolts on the massive door groaned and scraped.
    Alex steeled himself for the first blow. If Anuata had come to execute him, there wouldn’t be a better opportunity. He could hardly move, let alone defend himself.
    “I’ve come to get you out of here,” Anuata said. “Be quick. A death bounty has already been placed on your head.”
    Alex’s muscles were stiff as he climbed out of the hole, but he forced himself upright. “What of the human female? Is she alive?”
    “Alive and well,” the captain answered. “The palace is buzzing about her presence. Even ’Enakai is curious to inspect her.” Anuata extended a hand and clasped Alex’s right forearm. “Did you think I’d abandon you?”
    He gripped her muscular arm tightly. “The thought crossed my mind.”
    “And mine, truth be told.” She slipped into